How to Draw a Spider, Real Spider

Artist: finalprodigy / January 19, 2011
How to Draw a Spider, Real Spider

Step 1.


First thing's first. You will need some good paper to work on. This is what I used. It may be more or less expensive depending on where you buy it. Notice that this is VELLUM and not SMOOTH bristol.

Step 2.


As for the drawing material I used: --1. Derwent graphite pencils. These are the most common type that come in sets and they are of very good quality. Remember that 9B is the softest and darkest while H is the hardest and lightest. --2.Charcoal   

Step 3.


Alright here is a crash course in Spider anatomy. The spider's body has two sections. The first being the cephalothorax which includes the head and thorax. The second section is the abdomen. The spinnerets are at the end of the abdominal section and    

Step 4.


Start by sketching in two ovals for the two sections of the body. Divide them down the middle for reference purposes.

Step 5.


Next, sketch in the legs and pedipalps. Note that they are all divided into five sections.

Step 6.


now you can start shading around the spider to give it more form. Keep the shading fairly light for now.

Step 7.


Now we can start shading. I decided to start with the head. Remember to use the B pencils for dark shading. I used 8B and 9B. Also notice how I added more emphasis to the five foremost limbs; it is easier to see the sections on them now.

Step 8.


I recommend using a pencil in the HB to 3B range for this next step. start by lightly sketching in the leg hairs. Notice how the are all slanted away from the body.

Step 9.


I recommend using a pencil in the HB to 3B range for this next step. start by lightly sketching in the leg hairs. Notice how the are all slanted away from the body.

Step 10.


After the first layer add another one using the darker pencils. Repeat this process with the other legs.

Step 11.


Here is the result of the previous steps. I also went ahead and started working in the background. Don't worry about getting those hairs perfect just yet.

Step 12.


I went ahead and sketched in the first layer of hair for the rest of the legs during this step. I also added another rock to the background.

Step 13.


This is the result of adding the second darker layer to the legs. I decided to start darkening the ground around the spider during this step. Also, notice the guidelines for the hair on the spiders back.

Step 14.


This step saw further development of the ground around the spider. I recomment using 8B and 9B for that. I also added a second layer to the spider's back.

Step 15.


Adding a third layer to the spider's back renders it complete. The next step depends on how detail oriented you are. All that is left to do is to add details. Your kneadable eraser and mechanical pencil are irreplaceable when it comes to this step. Y   

Step 16.


Here is the final product. After at least 7 hours of working on this drawing this was as much detail as I felt like putting into it. Again, it is really up to you to decide how much detail you want in your drawing. I hope this tutorial was helpful!

Comments (0)



Details

Artist: finalprodigy
Date Added: January 19, 2011
Steps: 16
Favorited: 26 (view)
Views: 0 in last hour, 12 in last day, 48 in last week, 43649 total
Comments: 0
Tags: draw realistic animals, how to draw realistic, how to draw a spider, draw spiders, how to draw spiders, draw realistic, how to draw real, how to sketch, sketching in pencil, how to draw a realistic spider
Description: Sorry to all the arachnophobia if this tutorial scares you! Anyway here is the tutorial on how to draw a realistic creepy, crawly, spider. By the way spiders technically are not insects so I guess I will just put this in the realistic category.

Contest Submission Form